"Shit… I seriously didn't deserve you as a teacher," I muttered, but before the man could reply, a chilling, atmospheric, bending amount of bloodlust scraped the back of my neck. So, as fast as my flesh could move, I snapped my head around, only to find nothing.
"Calm down. This place isn't normal. Somehow, I know how this place works and the reason why I've been revealed to you… although it's a bit more boring than you would think."
"What is it?" I eagerly asked as the sensation of something stalking me only intensified.
"To calm you and these municipals… or something like that," Simo spoke, and just as he finished saying those words, a hollow ringing of voices echoed in my mind. They bounced back and forth within my skull, staying infused into the flesh of my brain, eating my sanity from the inside out, all while I was forced to just listen and listen. It was torturous.
As I fell to both of my knees and then fell onto my back, I gripped my temples while squeezing my eyes shut. I attempted to enter a meditative state, but before I could even attempt such an idea, a light-blue cooling light throbbed in my vision of black.
It's cold…
…
[Quasi Municipal Erosion has exceeded 6%]
Upon opening my eyes, a gentle snowfall greeted me. The sky was dark, with a ring of clear blue skies opening itself up to me from above. I was in the eye of a storm, and as the gentle snowfall continued to drift with the wind, I sat up, feeling absolutely fine.
"What happens if it exceeds 100%?" I muttered, staring at the sole panel floating in front of me. I watched it bob up and down, waiting for the percentage to go up even by a sliver, but thankfully, it didn't change. "Wait-"
I snapped my head around while quickly standing up. My eyes surveyed the area, and my senses spread wide, attempting to find the small man who I had just reunited with. I was desperate as a drop of sweat rolled down the tip of my nose, clinging onto the arch before dripping into the freezing snow.
"Shit…"
[You have completed the First Layer: Limbo]
My vision shifted instantaneously, revealing a world of corruption and pollution before my very eyes. Compared to the sight that I had just witnessed, this place, even with the stunning palace, was no more than hell.
"You're back," A hot tongue flickered, its moisture whipping out towards me and slobbering me in a venomous goo.
"I obtained zero answers—only more. So… can I ask you at least one question? Just one. It won't be that crazy or anything," I asked the world serpent as I sat up from the tenth step, my body completely adjusted to its pressure. My feet twiddled on the step, making sure I didn't fall back or forward, and then finally, I was facing him. The godly snake.
"Hmmmmmm…" The snakes booming voice echoed through the poisoned courtyard, rid of corrosion and death. It was like the entire land had been soaked in a jar of venom, and the strongest poisons that could ever be concocted were layered on top. "Fine. One."
"What is this Quasi Municipal Erosion…?"
"An effect of apotheosis. Essentially, the different versions of yourself eat away at your soul. There is nothing that can be done about it… as no mortal is allowed to become a god without consequences."
"Tsk… I'm assuming you won't elaborate," I let out a long sigh.
"Only once you understand the concept of suffering will I elaborate."
"I've suffered. I know what suffering is. I've lived multiple lives, and in each, I've had to suffer just to survive. These municipals eating away at my sanity, dying over and over just for the sake of getting stronger, watching everybody around cripple with disease and the effects of war… I'd say I'm well versed."
"You are not… check your status."
『Status』[Error]
[Name: [Error] [Error] ]
[Race: [Error] [Error] ]
[Class: [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] ]
[Sub-Class: [Error] [Error] [Error] ]
[Level: 0/100] (0/250) XP Needed
[HP: 500/500 | IP: 5000] - Non Human
[Strength: [Error] - Non Human
[Defense: [Error] - Non Human
[Magic: [Error] - Non Human
[Speed: [Error] - Non Human
[Mana Heart: [Error] [Error] ]
[Skills: [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error]
[Tarot Power: [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error]
[Life Manipulation: [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error]
[Five Destroying Martial Skills of The Blood Prince: [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error]
[Commander of The Sangria-Eyed King's Armory: [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error]
[Prince of Manipulation: [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error]
[Passive Skills: [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error]
[Rune Path: [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error]
[Equipment: [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error] [Error]
…
"If you do not understand the message of the system and its raging emotions, then meet me on the fifteenth step. I'll be waiting for you there," The world snake announced before glowing a bright green light, instantly disappearing from my sight just as I could barely see my surroundings.
Determined to figure out more, I stayed patient and meditated on each step, slowly growing my strength. Occasionally, I would descend the steps to recover my energy, but for what seemed to be a year straight, I meditated and meditated and meditated until, finally, I stepped onto the fifteenth step.
